Are you looking for a confederate flag for sale or to attach a flag to a pole, but aren’t quite sure how to do it? Attaching a flag to a pole helps you to elevate the flag higher, protect it from the elements, and display it more prominently.
However, attaching a flag to a pole can be a bit difficult, especially if it’s your first time doing it.
Check out this guide to learn how to attach a flag to a pole.
Choose the Right Flagpole
To correctly attach a flag to a pole, you first need to choose the right flagpole. Here are the different types of flagpoles you have to choose from:
External Halyard Flagpole: This type of flagpole comes with a rope that reaches from the truck at the top of the pole to the cleat at the bottom of the pole where the flag is secured. Typically, these poles come with an exposed pulley and are made from diamond-braided polyester.
Internal Halyard Flagpole: This flagpole comes with a halyard that’s hidden on the inside. The internal halyard is made of stainless steel or wired polyester rope. While internal halyard flagpoles are more expensive than external halyard flagpoles, they’re cleaner looking and offer more security. To access the internal halyard, you need to open a door that’s locked by a key or winch.
Sectional Flagpoles: These flagpoles are great for residential or light commercial use. You can get a sectional flagpole that’s as short as 12 feet or as high as 25 feet. These flagpoles are a great option for those on a budget. They’re also very easy to disassemble. However, these flagpoles are not recommended for high wind areas because they’re not extremely durable.
Telescoping Flagpoles: These flagpoles are known for being portable, low maintenance, and adaptable. If you don’t want to learn how to operate a pulley system or deal with expensive repairs, then a telescoping flagpole is a great option.
To set up a telescoping flagpole, you just need to push up each section and lock it into place until it reaches its maximum height. When you’re ready to take the flagpole down, all you need to do is twist the pole to unlock each section and then drop each section down into the subsequent lower section. This type of flagpole works like a telescope, hence, its name.
Understand the Parts of a Flagpole
To set up a flagpole, you need to understand all of its parts. Here are the different parts of a flagpole:
Truck: A truck is a part of an in-ground flagpole. The truck covers the top of the flagpole and holds the ornament in place. It’s also made up of a pulley that the halyard attaches to.
Ornament: An ornament sits on top of a flagpole and is mainly there for decorative purposes.
Halyard: A halyard is a stainless steel cable or rope that allows you to fasten your flag on the outside of the pole. The halyard also allows you to move the flag up and down the flagpole. As we mentioned earlier, you can buy a flagpole with an internal or external halyard.
Cleat: The cleat sits on the side of the flagpole and acts as a hook-type fastener. Typically, you find cleats on external halyard flagpoles. You can attach cleats directly to a flagpole, or you can attach them to a nearby wall or sturdy structure. You then tie the halyard around the cleat to keep the flag at your desired height.
Grommets: Grommets are small metal rings that reinforce the holes in the flag’s fabric so the flag doesn’t tear when a rope or cable goes through it.
Snaps: Snaps are hooks that attach the grommets and the halyard together. They’re typically made from zinc or nylon. Zinc snaps come with vinyl covers that prevent clicking noises. Nylon snaps are used on sectional flagpoles.
Yardarm: This is a tapered, horizontally mounted pole that attaches to a vertical flagpole and allows it to rise at an angle.
Flash Collar: This is a decorative ring that sits at the base of the flagpole.
Butt Diameter: Butt diameter describes the width at the bottom of the flagpole.
Ground Sleeve: This is a steel or PVC tube that rests underground and stabilizes an in-ground flagpole. It also protects the base of the flagpole from the elements. You can check out Flagpole Farms to purchase a ground sleeve.
How to Attach a Flag to a Pole
Now that you understand the components of a flagpole, let’s talk about how to attach a flag to a pole. Here’s what you need to do:
Cable Ties: If your flag has cable ties, all you need to do is weave the cable tie through the grommet and secure it onto the flagpole.
Tabs: If a flag comes with a sewn-in tab, all you need to do is slide the pole through the sleeve of the banner and push the eye through the head of the brass screw to attach the flag.
Velcro: If your flag comes with velcro, begin by sliding the pole through the sleeve of the banner. Then, remove the sticky back from one of the velcro sides and slide the pole sleeve up and press together the adhesive backs. Do the same thing for the bottom of the pole sleeve.
Snap Hooks: To determine where to install the snap hooks on a new flag, measure the distance between each grommet on the flag. If you’re replacing old snap hooks, lower the flag and place the new snap hooks in about the same spot as the old hooks.
Are You Ready to Fly Your Flag?
Now that you know how to attach a flag to a pole, it’s time to start flying your flag. Pretty soon, your flag will be flapping high in the wind!
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more flag-related tips and tricks.
